IN APPRECIATION OF STRANGE GIFTS

Hi all - Half way there!! Had my third chemo yesterday - all went well. Best news of all - MY CANCER MARKERS ARE LOWER - THE PROCESS SEEMS TO BE WORKING! I feels so encouraged and blessed, reflecting on the strange gifts of this experience.

I wouldn't have thought about it, but chemo turns out to be an amazing way to make new friends, and have quality time with old ones. This strange blessing that is cancer. Yesterday, my chemo roommate turned out to be a woman who has been a reading specialist for 35 years. We spent several hours talking reading - she worked in Barrington, RI, and has also done tutoring for learning disabled students. We had a delightful conversation, and plan to stay in touch. Good thing my name is Gabb!

Also, friend Judy came by - we chatted about one of my latest book adventures (that's another gift - time to read!) The Finch and the Beak a book discussing work in the Galapagos Islands confirming Darwin's theories of natural selection and evolution. Judy was a science/chemistry/engineering major once upon a time. The amazing thing about this research done by several couples is their ability to stay focused on counting finches, recognizing coloring and beaks, and recording in millimeters the length and width of bird beaks. We agreed that such researchers have a bit of OCD - certainly not for AAD folks like us! I recommend this somewhat dense tome (gifted by friend Janet - thanks!) because despite the long discussion of measuring beaks, it is beautifully written, and inspires awe at our human effort to understand this amazing thing called life. Another gift: that this condition and time allow me to pause and appreciate our experience in this physical world, as well as to reflect on it's horrors and contradictions.

And of course, a window of spring to come is visiting us this week. Certainly a healing process! Light expanded, lengthened brightening our days and our thoughts. Frankie the beagle and I sat on the front porch this morning absorbing the morning sun and dreaming of hands in the dirt planting. We both smiled as the light and warmth bathed us, Frankie lost in his dog thoughts, and I reflecting on miracles.

Saturday, my brother in law Donnie and Sis in law Trish gave the gift of help in our yard - worked with me, raking the blanket of leaves from our garden beds to reveal spikes of green as the bulbs push up. What glorious moments as the cycle of nature moves on to remind us of the amazing design of nature. I've been chatting on this blog about research, clinical trials and the like - and today am thankful for human science. Our persistent need as human beings to figure out our physical selves and our relationship to what to we perceive to be our physical world and universe leads to amazing activities and discoveries. In addition, the parallel pursuit of understanding our psychological and spiritual selves seems to be moving towards connections.

When friend from Atlanta Roger, who works at the CDC, told me of a conference in Norway exploring the work of a scientist - yoga master there, I was thrilled. Apparently, this man is gaining recognition for his work studying the effects of meditation, yoga and breathing techniques to enhance healing. Wish I could have flown to Norway last week!

Also, a friend gifted me a star! There is now a Sally Gabb star in the constellation of Andromeda! (A positive Andromeda strain....) I have always loved the reminder that we are indeed start stuff - and now I'm registered!

As always, friends near and far - your support, communication and love is helping to bring me to a positive conclusion in this strange adventure. As spring brings light and change into our lives, I extend my eternal thanks and love. xxxxSal